N. Phila. man charged in cockfighting raid

A North Philadelphia man was arrested last night after SPCA agents raided his home and allegedly found evidence of a cockfighting operation.

Agents from the Pennsylvania SPCA confiscated 25 birds and a fighting ring from the basement of a house in the 2200 block of Orkney Street, said George Bengal, PSPCA chief of law enforcement.

Agents with a search warrant raided the house around 6 p.m. after several months of investigation, Bengal said.

He said the officers also had confiscated three dogs likely bred for fighting.

Of the 25 birds, 15 were roosters dressed for fighting; the rest were hens or younger birds.

The man, who was not identified, faces charges of felony animal fighting, Bengal said.